Cantilevered screw assembly

ABSTRACT

An exemplary embodiment is directed to a cantilevered screw assembly comprising a solid oil bearing to facilitate rotation of the screw. Another exemplary embodiment of a cantilevered screw assembly includes an improved anchor system comprising multiple load-bearing walls. In particular, an exemplary embodiment may comprise a screw that is cantilevered to at least two walls. At least one reinforcement member may connect the walls for additional support.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/667,313, filed Nov. 2, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/555,863, filed Nov. 4, 2011, each ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate generally to acantilevered screw assembly. Examples of cantilevered screw assembliesmay include, but are not limited to, augers, compactors, crushers,shredders, feeders, material handlers, bale breakers, briquetters, andautoclave sterilizers. Other applications of cantilevered screwassemblies are also possible.

There is a need to improve known cantilevered screw assemblies. Largescale cantilevered screw assemblies are in particular need ofimprovement due to the dynamics of such systems. Nevertheless, smallscale cantilevered screw assemblies may have a similar need forimprovement.

Known cantilevered screw assemblies have used grease-lubricatedbearings. Such systems may provide a reservoir of grease that issupplied to the bearings. While effective, the reservoir of grease needsto be periodically refilled, which increases the necessary maintenanceof the system. The associated downtime also limits the productivity ofthe system. In addition, replenishing the grease adds to the operationalcost of the system. A further drawback is that the grease willeventually lead to oil drips or other oily messes. Thus, there are needsto improve the maintenance, operational costs, and environmentalfriendliness of cantilevered screw assemblies.

Additional needs exist to improve the stability, size, and load-bearingcapacity of cantilevered screw assemblies. The screws of some knowncantilevered screw assemblies have a tendency to shift in position orwobble during operation. The anchoring of known cantilevered screwassemblies may also limit load-bearing capacity. For instance, knownassemblies may cantilever a screw to a load-bearing wall. Theload-bearing wall may limit the size of the screw and the amount ofmaterial that can be processed. If the size of the screw is excessive,it may compromise the load-bearing wall. For example, it may lead to oilcanning of the load-bearing wall. Oil canning may affect the operationof the screw as aforementioned, and it may eventually render the systeminoperable.

Exemplary embodiments may satisfy one or more of the aforementionedneeds. One exemplary embodiment of a cantilevered screw assembly mayinclude at least one bearing that includes solid oil. For example, oneembodiment of a cantilevered screw assembly may include at least onebearing that is filled with solid oil. Such embodiments of acantilevered screw assembly may offer numerous advantages includingsubstantially decreased maintenance, lower operational costs, highersystem efficiency, and improved environmental characteristics. It isestimated that the bearings of some exemplary embodiments may last atleast two times longer between maintenance intervals as compared to acomparable cantilevered screw assembly that uses grease-lubricatedbearings, which may significantly lower operational costs and raiseoperational efficiently. Moreover, oil leaks and drips may besubstantially eliminated, drastically reducing the environmental impact.

Another exemplary embodiment of a cantilevered screw assembly includesan improved anchor system comprising multiple load-bearing walls. Inparticular, an exemplary embodiment may comprise a screw that iscantilevered to at least two walls. Examples of the improved anchorsystem may allow for a larger screw without compromising stability orthe integrity of the load-bearing walls. Also, exemplary embodiments mayenable more material to be processed by the cantilevered screw assemblywith greater power and torque.

In addition to the novel features and advantages mentioned above, otherbenefits will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of thedrawings and exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of an exemplary embodiment of acantilevered screw assembly.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cantilevered screw assembly of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of aload-bearing wall assembly of the cantilevered screw assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the load-bearing wall assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cantilevered screw assembly ofFIG. 1. In this view, portions have been removed or rendered transparentfor clarity.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the cantilevered screw assembly ofFIG. 5, wherein portions have been removed or rendered transparent forclarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to acantilevered screw assembly. FIGS. 1-6 show various views of oneembodiment of a cantilevered screw assembly 10 comprising a screw 12,which has a shaft 14. In this example, the shaft 14 has a slight taper.Other types of cantilevered screw assemblies may also benefit fromaspects of the present invention. For instance, some embodiments may nothave a shaft with a taper, while other embodiments may have a shaft witha reverse taper. For embodiments that have a shaft with a taper orreverse taper, the degree of the taper or reverse taper may be selectedto fit the application of the cantilevered screw assembly.

One aspect of an exemplary embodiment is the use of at least one solidoil bearing in association with shaft 14 to facilitate rotation. In theexample of FIG. 1, a first solid oil bearing 20 and a second solid oilbearing 22 enable rotation of shaft 14. Other exemplary embodiments mayinclude the use of more solid oil bearings.

An example of a solid oil bearing may have a cavity that is filled withsolid oil. For example, solid oil bearing 20 has a cavity 24 that isfilled with solid oil 26. Solid oil 26 may form adjacent or around therolling elements of bearing 20, for example, to provide lubrication.Other bearing designs comprising solid oil are also possible.

An example of solid oil is comprised of oil in a polymer matrix orstructure. In other examples, the supporting matrix or structure may becomprised of other types of plastic or other suitable material forretaining or reabsorbing the oil. In an exemplary embodiment, oil fromthe solid oil may provide lubrication substantially without drippingbecause the supporting material may have a porous structure that retainsor reabsorbs the oil. The oil may coat contacting surfaces (e.g., therolling elements), and the supporting structure is adapted to reabsorbany excess oil such that it is not expelled. Examples of solid oil areavailable from PhyMet, Inc. and SKF Group.

In another aspect, screw 12 is cantilevered to the walls of a multiplewall assembly 30. In this example, the multiple wall assembly 30 iscomprised of at least a first wall 32 and a second wall 34 to which thescrew 12 is cantilevered. This exemplary embodiment of multiple wallassembly 30 also includes a third wall 36 associated with shaft 14.Other embodiments may have more walls and/or may have a third wall thatis not associated with the screw shaft. In an exemplary embodiment, theassociation of the screw with the multiple wall assembly may provideimproved structural support for the cantilevered assembly as compared toa single wall cantilevered assembly. Such an embodiment may increase thestability of the screw and also allow for a larger and more powerfulscrew that has the capacity to process more material.

Each wall is comprised of metal in this exemplary embodiment. In otherembodiments, other materials having suitable structural properties maybe used.

In this exemplary embodiment, first wall 32 is connected to second wall34 by at least one reinforcement member. In combination with a multiplewall assembly, the use of an exemplary embodiment of at least onereinforcement member may further improve the stability of the screw andwalls and also allow for an even larger and more powerful screw that isadapted to process more material. This embodiment includes a firstreinforcement member 40, a second reinforcement member 42, a thirdreinforcement member 44, a fourth reinforcement member 46, a fifthreinforcement member 48, and a sixth reinforcement member 50 that arepositioned around shaft 14 and the associated bearing assembly. In thisexample, the peripheries of first wall 32 and second wall 34 are alsoconnected for additional reinforcement. Other embodiments may have lessor more reinforcement members connecting the walls to achieve thedesired reinforcement. Furthermore, in other exemplary embodiments, atleast one reinforcement member may have any suitable position to connecta first wall to a second wall.

First reinforcement member 40, second reinforcement member 42, thirdreinforcement member 44, fourth reinforcement member 46, fifthreinforcement member 48, and sixth reinforcement member 50 are metalpipes in this exemplary embodiment. Other suitable reinforcement membersmay be used including, but not limited to, metal bars and other hollowor solid metal members. In addition, other suitable materials besidesmetal may be used for certain applications.

The bearing assembly may include a bearing housing adapted to house atleast one bearing. In this embodiment, the bearing assembly includes abearing housing 60 for housing bearing 20 and bearing 22. The bearinghousing 60 extends between first wall 32 and second wall 34 in thisexample. Bearing housing 60 may serve as further reinforcement in thismanner. Such as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, an example of a bearing housing60 may include at least one flared edge 62 and at least one flange 64 toassist with stabilization and/or securement to one or more walls (inthis example, wall 32). In addition, an example of flared edge 62 maydefine at least one receptacle 66 to assist with securing areinforcement member. At the same time, second wall 34 further supportsbearing housing 60. Such an embodiment may increase the stability ofscrew 12 and the walls, and it may also allow for a larger and morepowerful screw with the capacity to process more material.

With respect to the example in FIG. 1, solid oil bearing 20 issubstantially aligned with first wall 32, and solid oil bearing 22 issubstantially aligned with second wall 34. In other exemplaryembodiments, a bearing housing may extend out further beyond the firstwall (in a distal direction) and/or the second wall (in a proximaldirection), such that a bearing is not aligned with a respective wall.An example of such an embodiment may increase the stability and strengthcharacteristics of the screw. Also, in some exemplary embodiments, oneor more bearings may be situated between the first wall and the secondwall (i.e., not aligned with either wall).

As aforementioned, bearing housing 60 extends about solid oil bearing 20and solid oil bearing 22 in this example. In other exemplaryembodiments, a bearing housing may house fewer or more bearings.Furthermore, the bearings are not limited to solid oil bearings in thisembodiment. For instance, although solid oil bearings may be preferred,this embodiment may include grease-lubricated bearings or other types ofbearings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a drive chain assembly 70 may be situatedoutside of second wall 34 (i.e., on the proximal side of second wall34). More particularly, drive chain assembly 70 is situated betweensecond wall 34 and third wall 36 in this example. However, in some otherexemplary embodiments, a drive chain assembly may be situated within asecond wall or in another suitable position for facilitating rotation ofthe screw 12. In the example shown, drive chain assembly 70 is comprisedof a first sprocket 72 and a second sprocket 74. In FIGS. 2, 5, and 6,sprocket 72 is shown as being transparent in order to show otherexemplary features. Sprocket 74 is also transparent in FIG. 6 forclarity. Likewise, second wall 34 has been removed in FIGS. 5 and 6 forclarity. In other exemplary embodiments, other types of drive chainassemblies or other types of drive mechanisms may be used to facilitaterotation of the screw.

Due to the aforementioned benefits, the exemplary embodiments of acantilevered screw assembly are particularly useful for processing wastematerials. However, exemplary embodiments of a cantilevered screwassembly may also serve other purposes not limited to the processing ofwaste materials.

Any embodiment of the present invention may include any of the optionalor preferred features of the other embodiments of the present invention.The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended to beexhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. Theexemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain someof the principles of the present invention so that others skilled in theart may practice the invention. Having shown and described exemplaryembodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art willrealize that many variations and modifications may be made to thedescribed invention. Many of those variations and modifications willprovide the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimedinvention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit the invention onlyas indicated by the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A screw assembly comprising: a screw housing; ascrew situated in and cantilevered to said screw housing; and a bearingassembly secured to said screw housing and adapted to facilitaterotation of said screw relative to said screw housing, said bearingassembly comprising a bearing housing that houses at least one solid oilbearing comprising oil in a polymer structure that is adapted to retainor reabsorb said oil.
 2. The screw assembly of claim 1 wherein each saidsolid oil bearing comprises a cavity filled with said oil.
 3. The screwassembly of claim 1 wherein said screw comprises a shaft in associationwith said at least one solid oil bearing.
 4. The screw assembly of claim1 wherein said at least one solid oil bearing comprises a solid oilbearing that is aligned with a wall of said screw housing.
 5. The screwassembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one solid oil bearingcomprises a first solid oil bearing and a second solid oil bearing. 6.The screw assembly of claim 1 wherein said screw assembly is adapted toprocess waste material.
 7. The screw assembly of claim 1 wherein saidbearing housing has a stable connection to said screw housing.
 8. Thescrew assembly of claim 1 wherein said screw is an auger.
 9. The screwassembly of claim 1 wherein said bearing housing comprises at least oneflared edge that facilitates securement to said screw housing.
 10. Thescrew assembly of claim 1 wherein: said screw housing comprises a firstwall and a second wall, said second wall adjacent and spaced apart fromsaid first wall; and said screw is cantilevered to said first wall andsaid second wall.
 11. The screw assembly of claim 10 wherein said atleast one solid oil bearing comprises: a first solid oil bearingsubstantially aligned with said first wall; and a second solid oilbearing substantially aligned with said second wall.
 12. The screwassembly of claim 11 wherein said bearing housing extends from saidfirst wall to said second wall such that said bearing housing extendsabout said first solid oil bearing and said second solid oil bearing.13. The screw assembly of claim 10 wherein said screw assembly isadapted to process waste material.
 14. The screw assembly of claim 10wherein said bearing housing has a stable connection to said first walland said second wall of said screw housing.
 15. The screw assembly ofclaim 10 wherein said screw is an auger.
 16. The screw assembly of claim10 wherein said bearing housing comprises at least one flared edge thatfacilitates securement to at least one of said first wall and saidsecond wall.
 17. The screw assembly of claim 10 further comprising aplurality of reinforcement members connecting said first wall to saidsecond wall.
 18. A screw assembly comprising: a multiple wall assemblycomprising a plurality of walls that are adjacent to each other andspaced apart; a screw cantilevered to said walls of said multiple wallassembly; and a bearing assembly secured to said multiple wall assemblyand adapted to facilitate rotation of said screw relative to saidmultiple wall assembly, said bearing assembly comprising a bearinghousing that houses at least one solid oil bearing comprising oil in apolymer structure that is adapted to retain or reabsorb said oil. 19.The screw assembly of claim 18 wherein said multiple wall assembly iscomprised of a first wall and a second wall such that said screw iscantilevered to said first wall and said second wall.
 20. The screwassembly of claim 19 wherein said first wall and said second wall arecomprised of metal.
 21. The screw assembly of claim 19 wherein saidmultiple wall assembly further comprises a third wall.
 22. The screwassembly of claim 21 wherein: said screw comprises a shaft; and saidthird wall is associated with said shaft.
 23. The screw assembly ofclaim 21 further comprising a drive chain assembly situated between saidsecond wall and said third wall such that said drive chain assembly isadapted to facilitate rotation of said screw.
 24. The screw assembly ofclaim 18 wherein said screw assembly is adapted to process wastematerial.
 25. The screw assembly of claim 18 wherein said bearinghousing has a stable connection to said walls of said multiple wallassembly.
 26. The screw assembly of claim 18 wherein said screw is anauger.
 27. The screw assembly of claim 18 wherein said bearing housingcomprises at least one flared edge that facilitates securement to atleast one of said walls of said multiple wall assembly.
 28. A screwassembly comprising: a multiple wall assembly comprising a plurality ofwalls that are adjacent to each other and spaced apart; at least onereinforcement member connecting said walls; a screw cantilevered to saidwalls of said multiple wall assembly; and a bearing assembly secured tosaid multiple wall assembly and adapted to facilitate rotation of saidscrew relative to said multiple wall assembly, said bearing assemblycomprising a bearing housing that houses at least one solid oil bearingcomprising oil in a polymer structure that is adapted to retain orreabsorb said oil.
 29. The screw assembly of claim 28 wherein said atleast one reinforcement member comprises a metal pipe.
 30. The screwassembly of claim 28 wherein: a plurality of said reinforcement membersconnect said walls; and said reinforcement members are positioned arounda shaft of the screw.
 31. The screw assembly of claim 30 wherein saidbearing housing connects said walls such that there is a stableconnection to said walls.
 32. The screw assembly of claim 28 wherein:said multiple wall assembly comprises a first wall, a second wall, and athird wall; said at least one reinforcement member connects said firstwall to said second wall; said bearing housing extends from said firstwall to said second wall such that there is a stable connection to saidfirst wall and said second wall; and a drive chain assembly is situatedbetween said second wall and said third wall such that said drive chainassembly is adapted to facilitate rotation of said screw.
 33. The screwassembly of claim 28 wherein said screw assembly is adapted to processwaste material.
 34. The screw assembly of claim 28 wherein said bearinghousing has a stable connection to said walls of said multiple wallassembly.
 35. The screw assembly of claim 28 wherein said screw is anauger.
 36. The screw assembly of claim 28 wherein said bearing housingcomprises at least one flared edge that facilitates securement to atleast one of said walls of said multiple wall assembly.